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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-02-16, Page 19The old standby Regardless of the weather, if students at Hullett Central Public School can run, they will play soccer. Monday was no different as, at recess, students took to the soccer field on the east end of the school property to have a game. Shown is Wyatt Hoggart sliding for the ball while Brady Finch tries to stay upright. (Denny Scott photo) THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017. PAGE 19. North Huron Council approves Memorial Hall budget increase By Denny Scott The Citizen The budget for the renovations at Blyth Memorial Community Hall through Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc. has grown once again. North Huron Council approved a new $4.1 million project budget, which has increased several times since it was announced in 2013, though the increased spending did generate comments. In a report to council on Feb. 6, Director of Recreation and Facilities Pat Newson explained the cost of the ongoing renovations has increased to $4,127,901.32 from the most recent $3.8 million budget. The additional funding will come from 14/19 Inc. and won't impact North Huron's budget. The increase in funding was a result of project expenses exceeding the $150,000 contingency fund that had been set by the project. All the changes that had resulted in the original budget not being sufficient have been approved by the Blyth Memorial Hall Renovation Committee which includes members from the township, the Blyth Centre for the Arts, 14/19, the Blyth Legion and the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Councillor Bill Knott asked if there was a specific part of the project that was causing the more - than $300,000 increase in the budget and Newson said it was a number of smaller items. "There will be 50 change orders when the project is done, ranging in prices," she said. "We're fortunate in that we're not making tough decisions or leaving parts of the project out to pay for structuring and wiring and key priorities. We can add things on the technical side of the theatre and other issues brought to the renovation committee because of the extra funds made available through donations [obtained by 14/19 Inc.]" Councillor Ray Hallahan wasn't pleased with the request, saying that, between the budget increase and the contingency fund, there was more than $400,000 in increases in the budget. Newson explained the project could be completed in the original $3.8 million budget, but she felt the end result would be disappointing due to aspects of the project left out. She said the total budget for the project sits at $4,013,560.15 and that the remaining would be contingency. She also said that more funds are being brought in through avenues like private donations and the Blyth Festival's seat sale. Deputy -Reeve James Campbell and Councillor Trevor Seip were both more interested in the financing of the project than the increase in the budget. Campbell asked if the funds Bears hibernating in Huron says Trick Animal Control Officer Bob Trick says bears are using Huron County for hibernation, which may require vigilance in April. At Central Huron Council's Feb. 6 meeting, Trick told councillors that he felt bears were hibernating in the municipality and beyond, along the lakeshore. He said they enter hibernation around the beginning of November and that hibernation typically lasts six months, so by the time April rolls around, bears may be awaking and wandering the shore of Lake Huron after a long winter's sleep. Trick was at the meeting to present his annual report, which included 10 bear sightings over the course of the year. When councillors asked Trick if there is anything the municipality can do, he said there isn't. He and other authorities will simply have to Long-time Festival designer passes away John Ferguson, who designed the sets for several of the Blyth Festival's most iconic productions, has died. He was 71. Among the plays for which Ferguson designed the sets was the world premiere of Anne Chislett's Governor General's Award-winning Quiet In The Land in 1981. He also designed the 2003 Stratford Festival production of the same play, one of 20 productions he designed for Stratford during his long career. Brodhagen Chamber of Commerce MEN'S NIGHT Friday, March 3 PIGTAILS & bk,RIBS DINNER 6:00 pm - 12:30 am Dinner 7:00 pm $25.00 each For tickets call: Roy 519-345-2209 Pauline 519-348-0940 Jim 519-345-2248 Advance tickets only by February 25 Brodhagen Community Centre Check out www.brodhagencommunitycentre.com Ferguson designed for theatres from the Neptune Theatre in Halifax to the Pacific Opera in Victoria, as well as the National Arts Centre, Shaw Festival, Mirvish Productions, the Canadian Opera Company and many others. The winner of several awards, including two Dora Mayor Moore Awards, passed away on Feb. 2. lh -AbU •_, Happy 80" Birthday Dad [Jim Chalmers] i 7. e� i i 1 Ni a • Love from all your family illi remain vigilant when bears begin to come out of hibernation this spring. In Central Huron throughout 2016, Trick said he took care of 70 sick raccoons, which is high, but follows the trend of rising cases in Huron County. He said that the leading causes of the incidents were distemper and roundworms. Throughout the year he also collected 54 goose eggs, caught 23 dogs, caught five skunks at the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) and was contacted by the Ontario Provincial Book Your Ad Now for the 2017 IPM Issue 35,000 copies in total Call The Citizen 519-523-4792 or contact sales representatives Brenda Nyveld e-mail: ads@northhuron.on.ca Happy 85th Birthday Dad (Jack Knight) Love from Brad & Christine Steve & Mamie Joanne & Weldon & Families Police 16 times. Over that time, he issued five tickets. Get information on Huron County attractions on the Stops Along The Way section of our website northhuron.on.ca were available, to which Newson said yes, there is more than $4 million in the bank for the project, and Seip asked if North Huron's $500,000 contribution was going to increase. Newson said North Huron is only expected to contribute $500,000. Knott said he felt the municipality was lucky that the financing was in place. "I'd like to remind you that we started with about $1.2 million [raised by 14/19 last year]," he said. "We're very fortunate that we have $4 million and we have that money in the bank. This is just housekeeping to allocate the funds and make sure staff can issue cheques." Knott said council wasn't going to "cheap up now" since they aren't paying for the majority of the project. The new budget was approved. ♦r rt We 4.4 ear* Kyr•• ',` 9 r emakc Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine ()rew here 6r at home.!) 84 Kingston St., GODERICH 524-2323 tlita/VtieCtIrtir. Share your news by placing your announcement in The Citizen Call for pricing & details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 } www.movielinks.ca �1TION... LOBS long distance?1 -800-265-3438 WELCOME AGON SINCE 1930 lebrating 10 Years! BRIDAL HOWCASE UNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 DOORS OPEN AT NOON UNTIL 4:00 PM OUTH HURON RECREATION CENTRE 94 Victoria St. E., Exeter FREE ADMISSION Features: Door Prizes • Fashion Show • Special Displays Gift Bags I) Pre -registration appreciated Email: fvanoss@hay.net Facebook: exeterbridalshowcase or by calling Faye 519-238-8048 or 1-844-299-2466 www. bridalshowcase. ca WALK INS WELCOME